Recently there has been a lot of talk around the use and appropriation of plants such as White sage and Palo Santo and the problem this is causing to the survival of these species and the indigenous practices of those who grow and use them. It is a fact that these and other species like Sandalwood have been massively over harvested. So here are a few ideas for witches and all magical folk alike in Iceland on how we can combat this problem by working with some of the many wonderful plants we have on our little rock in the Atlantic.
The Palo Santo you find in most new age stores are from specifically grown cultivations, and it is illegal to cut down these trees in Peru and Ecuador. Shamans of South America use the wood in cleansings and to ward off evil, Palo Santo literally means ‘holy stick’. If you’ve ever opened a book on magical herbalism or seen the latest witchy trends on good old Instagram, you’ll know that White Sage is used for similar purposes. The first thing these plants have in common, besides use by indigenous communities, is that they act as a spiritual cleaner, banishing negative or evil spirits from a space. Within our own ‘backyard’ we have a whole bunch of herbs which do just this. And as I’ve said in previous articles, working with plants and spirits in your local spirit ecology is what it’s all about.
Juniper// Reyniviður a solar ruled plant which has long been used for spiritual cleansing. It can also be worked with for callling the spirits in. It has been used for centuries to purify spaces and people against spirit possession and also to end or clear out ghostly hauntings and spirit infestations. Nigel G. Pearson tells us in his wonderful magical herbal ‘Wortcunning’ it is a highly protective herb, attracting fresh energies and banishing negative ones. Carry a small pouch of 5 dried berries in your pocket and you will be successful in any legal case you may have (Pearson 2018). Juniper has also been known as a guardian of the dead, thought to nurture souls until they are ready to move forward. Rowan and Juniper wood carried together makes a protective charm for sailors and fishermen, this was used specifically within Iceland in the past (Inkwright 2019). New Year's traditions in Scotland, Ireland and Cornwall include burning juniper wood to drive away the troubles of the previous year. Having a small dried bundle of the plant in your house is even said to be protection enough from ghosts trying to enter. I personally burn this herb in place of Palo Santo and Sage for cleansings.
Sandalwood trees have been over harvested for their essential oils – another problematic industry in and of itself, if you care for our take on this listen to the most recent episode of myself and Alda’s podcast Nornagaldur – this has resulted in sandalwood species becoming endangered, some to near extinction. It is marketed to us in the west in the form of essential oils, increasing the demand. Sandalwood is mostly burned as an offering to spirits and for cleansing and protection. A good local alternative to this would be Sweetgrass // Ilmreyr sweetgrass can be found in metaphysical stores all over, but here all you need to do is take a walk to Heiðmörk, Geldingarnes to name only two spots of abundant sweetgrass. The grass is burned to call in spirits and also for cleansing. Alone it makes a good offering to whatever spirits you´re burning it for, personally I've always thought of it as ruled by Saturn due to its connection with spirits and its intoxicating smell, coming from the chemical coumarin, this can be brought out best by braiding and drying the grass.
There are also many non-native plants used by witches and magical practitioners in Iceland that although easily found are still imported such as Lavender, Rosemary, Basil, Thyme. While these are all great and many can be easily grown inside (some even outside during summer) many folk magicians and witches believe that working with local plants and spirits is more beneficial, I myself am fully onboard this train of thought. Alternatives to Lavender for sleep magic, calming anxiety and opening yourself to your own psychic powers include plants such as Meadowsweet, Eyebright and Valerian. Rosemary is substituted for any herb my some, and where occasionally this works in a pinch it´s not always the best idea. My recommendation is working with Angelica//Hvönn – also known as Masterwort by some – this solar plant is a good example of a plant that can be worked with for so many things. An oil infusion made from the root of it is a personal favourite of mine. A little of this fragrant plant works as a substitute for rosemary and many others. More recently I’ve seen flutes carved from the stem, these could be worked with for all sorts of magic.
Meadowsweet//Mjaðjurt- this plant, ruled by Jupiter and Venus, can be worked with in place of Lavender, this sweet-smelling plant was used to flavour mead in the past. Associated in folk magic with death, its scent was said to induce a sleep from which the victim would never awaken; for this reason, it was never placed in sickrooms or bedrooms. Working with this herb as an infusion in conjunction with a stave for sleep would work as a good sleeping aid, although as Pearson warns it might be best to drink the infusion before entering your bedroom. Often added to love infusions and poppets for gentle healing. Associated with goddess of summer (Pearson 2018) the oil, or an infusion with similar herbs can be used in self love and sex magic. I will include a bit of sleep magic at the end of this article using Meadowsweet.
Another great local plant to work with is Eyebright//Augnfró – ruled by the Sun, it can be taken as an infusion internally or brushed onto the eyelids before working, it is said to increase psychic abilities and enable one to see the heart of a matter (Pearson 2018). Carry to increase psychic powers, also when you need to see the truth of things (Cunningham 1985). I personally add it to my Icelandic flying ointment, as one herb in the base oil, as it aids in journey work. It can also be added to divinatory or vision incense blends. Another great local plant to include in incense blends for visions and journeying is Coltsfoot// Hóffífill – this Venusian flower that tends to grow around the city in parks, paved areas and industrial land has long been worked with as an Incense to appease angry spirits, occasional added to tea for journey work, dried in sachets for love, peace and tranquillity. Coltsfoot is the only, or the main, ingredient in “British tobacco” ... magical practitioners have long used this smoking mixture to promote trance like states (Pearson 2018) A warning with this one however - Heavy/Prolonged internal use of this herb is not advised, as it contains liver damaging alkaloids, short term use as a smoke blend but regular use as incense is okay as long as you’re not inhaling it.
While there are so many plants I could include in this article, the last plant I’ve chosen is Valerian// Hagabrúða - another Venusian plant, Valerian can be hung in the home to protect against lightning – not such a worry in Iceland – evil spirits and couples fighting. When working with the rat as a spirit being, Valerian may be used as an attractant and a reward for work done. Used in love sachets – although the smell might be counterproductive to attracting a lover – it has also been used by witches for many centuries to help bond with cats as physical pets or spirit familiars (Pearson 2018). A potent magical oil made from Valerian and Angelica roots can be used for many magical purposes, this is a personal favourite of mine, creating a very pungent oil that can be applied to so many workings, I would argue it is an essential for those who work magic with herbs in Iceland. The powdered root can act as a substitute for ‘graveyard dust’ (Cunningham 1985) this can be great for any ancestor work, burn some on a charcoal for your family spirits.
This brings me to the main purpose of this article. In this day and age of Instagram trends and ‘witch-tok’ many are looking for deeper connection to their roots. Many in Iceland have looked outwards, to South America and India, and while that’s great when done sensitively and with cultural appropriation in mind, there is still so much power, magic and folklore to be found on this island. You don’t need to work exclusively with the spirits of Cacao, Ayahuasca or Rapé to find the connection you’re searching for, renewing your connection with the plants of your land might be just be what you were looking for. There are an abundance of plants, trees and stones here to work with, and their spirits are asking for us to work with them. I wanted to take the time also to recommend a local herbalist who might be worth following on social media, Ingeborg (@calluna_herbs). She offers consultations for those wanting to work with herbs for health and well-being. Her Instagram is also full of wonderful bits of information on the herbs we have here in Iceland, and I hope she inspires some of you as she has inspired me.
Sleep magic with Meadowsweet:
The infamous Svefnþorn charm used in the Völsunga saga by Odin to put the Valkyrie Brunhildr to sleep, one of probably many different variations, the most common one of which can be found in the Huld Manuscript is a powerful and often dangerous stave. Said to keep it´s victim asleep until it is removed, this stave and its likely variants could well have been used as sleep aids or magical charms for healing sleeps. My own personal variant is used for just this. With the aid of sleepy virtues and powers from Meadowsweet.
Carve this stave into a piece of wood, or draw it on paper. Make yourself a cup of meadowsweet tea (add honey if you wish), when it has cooled to a drinkable temperature take your right middle finger, dip it into the tea then wipe some of the liquid onto the stave, pause for a minute while you do this. Dip your finger a second time and wipe some onto your forehead/third eye area, taking another moment to pause and relax. Then drink the tea as you get ready for bed, but as Pearson says, don´t bring the tea into the bedroom. When the tea is finished hold the stave, and take a moment and ask the spirit of the plant to help you sleep.
Blow these intentions into the stave, visualising the symbol flaring into life. Then place the stave under or inside your pillow. The stave and plant spirit should work together to give you a peaceful and restful sleep.
Who is Albert?
Pellar, podcast host at Nornagaldur and strong Capricorn energy.
Albert has been practicing witchcraft for over 13 year, growing up in the south of England with ties to Ireland and Scotland, his practice revolves around mix of seiður, magical herbalism and folk magic from his homeland and beyond.
Make sure you follow him for inspiration Instagram